Chief of Party, USAID/Kenya – Digital Health Ecosystem Activity at Palladium International

This Opportunity

• Palladium is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID Kenya Digital Health Ecosystem Activity, which will be a 5-Year USAID-funded program with the goal to improve the availability and quality of healthcare services using one national integrated and comprehensive digital health ecosystem in Kenya. The program will achieve this by increasing country ownership and management of one national integrated and comprehensive sector-wide health information ecosystem to achieve health systems outcomes of equity, quality, and resources optimization.

The Program's Objectives May Comprise The Following Three Areas

• Sub purpose I: Integrated digital health solutions, infrastructure, and services’ provision ecosystem.
• Sub purpose II: Enhanced digital health ecosystem’s vision, strategy, and governance capacity.
• Sub purpose III: Strengthened strategic partnerships and collaborations to sustain investments in the digital health ecosystem.
• The Chief of Party will be ultimately responsible to provide overall leadership, management, and general technical direction of the program, ensuring an integrated vision among different components and actors, and a focus on achieving the desired results. This individual must identify issues and risks related to implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate adjustments. This individual must act as the key liaison with USAID/Kenya and all other counterparts, implementing partners and stakeholders involved with the program. The position requires significant coordination skills, broad general and technical knowledge, an ability to cope with multiple interests and challenges, experience in developing countries, and skills to ensure coherence and consistency in the face of urgent deadlines.
• This is an anticipated project, and all positions are contingent upon award from USAID.

Reporting And Supervision

• The Chief of Party shall report directly to the Director, Information Systems S/he will also work very closely with the Palladium Kenya Country Representative, the Chief of Party for Kenya HMIS Project, and other USAID funded programs in Kenya.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities
The Chief of Party will be responsible for the following:

• Providing technical direction and guidance to all activities of the project.
• Serving as the primary point of contact for USAID/Kenya and other USAID programs operating in Kenya, as well as with the government officials and key partners.
• Ensuring that the entire project is in compliance with Palladium policies and procedures.
• Ensuring that the project meets its indicators as required by the subject contract.
• Leading the design and overseeing implementation of project events.
• Managing communications activities that highlight the successes of expanded the digital health ecosystem in coordination with the project’s communications team.
• Supporting the evaluation of project activities as required.
• Leading annual work planning and design.
• Ensuring proper budget management of activities.
• Supervising all project staff in Kenya.
• Ensuring that the project meets financial and social impact requirements.
• Traveling around to various regions of Kenya (and potentially outside) as needed.
• Any and all other project-related tasks as required by the Project Director in Palladium HQ.

Key Competencies Required

• A master’s degree in a related field of study, e.g., information systems, health informatics, digital health, public health, or related. The master’s degree requirement may be substituted with a minimum of an additional five additional years of professional experience in a related field, as noted below.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in fields related to the successful implementation of this project such as health information systems development and implementation, digital health strategy development and implementation, eHealth architecture development and interoperability services, digital health infrastructure development, and related. The 10-year requirement is a minimum for individuals who possess a master’s degree. For individuals who do not possess a master’s degree, a minimum of 15 years of professional experience is required.
• At least 5 years proven leadership in the administration of similar sized international donor- supported programs with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting.
• Proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams.
• Evidence of strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written, to fulfil the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the contract.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Swahili proficiency preferred.
• Kenyan nationals with relevant experience are encouraged to apply.

Professional Expertise/Competencies Preferred

• Experience with a donor, contractor or international NGOs in a relevant sector such as digital health, health information systems, data analytics and use, and related.
• Proven ability to leverage and manage partnership and cooperate with host country governments and international partners in implementing donor-funded projects preferred. Experience working with the (relevant Kenya Ministry of Health) preferred.
• Demonstrated financial management experience (including budgeting) and knowledge in establishing systems and overseeing program start-up.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including presentation experience to high-level audiences, and publication in peer reviewed journals, fluency in English. Fluency in Swahili preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and management skills.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think and plan strategically, ability to manage a culturally and linguistically diverse staff, consultants, and counterparts.
• Attention to detail and ability to effectively and efficiently perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities, often within a required timeframe.
• Professional and diplomatic demeanor and conduct, especially during interactions with the client and its constituents, particularly regarding the Kenyan government.